 |
 |
| U.S. Air Force Capt. LeeAnn Roberts instructs Iraqi trainees and a coalition soldier on proper firing techniques at the Al Kasik Training Base firing range, Iraq, Jan. 30, 2006. She is the first female coalition military assistance training team instructor assigned to the base, and the only female out of 8,000 assigned personnel. U.S. Air Force photo |
|
|
U.S. Air Force
Capt. LeeAnn Roberts |
| Female Officer Overcomes Cultural Challenge to Train Iraqis |
|
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury
Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq Public Affairs |
AL KASIK, Iraq, Feb. 13, 2006 — For one U.S. Air Force captain, breaking down gender barriers is something that "just seems to happen" in her military career.
Capt. LeeAnn Roberts, a Coalition Military Assistance Training Team leader, is breaking both gender and cultural barriers by being the first female instructor at Al Kasik Training Base and the only female assigned to the 8,000-man Iraqi base.
Roberts teaches the new Iraqi recruits basic policing and military skills needed in order to be a part of an army currently fighting insurgency throughout the country.
Dealing with a culture still adjusting to Western ideas of women's roles has been a growing experience for Roberts.
"The soldiers are a little hesitant at first to take instruction from a female," she said. "When they see that I know what I am talking about, however, they take instruction from me like anyone else."
When the Iraqi trainees grasp the skills Roberts has taught, it brings her a sense of accomplishment.
"When they finally get the things I'm training," she said, "it makes me proud to know I am equipping them with the skills they need to protect their country from terrorism."
Roberts said that much like American culture, she knows she was accepted by the trainees when they gave her a special nickname.
"The first group I trained gave me the nickname 'my sister,'" she said. "This nickname seemed to be the one of choice from training group to training group."
Roberts said the Iraqi leadership on the base has been the key to her training success.
|
|
"They really make sure I'm treated right," said Roberts. "It is nice to know if a trainee can't overcome the barrier, I can rely on the leadership here to make things right."
Capt. Joseph Pabalan, training group leader, handpicked her to be a part of the training team because of his experience working with her in the past.
"I knew she had the knowledge, ability and skill to train troops," said Pabalan. "I also knew she was up to any challenge we would place in front of her."
Pabalan said Roberts has an innate ability to pass her knowledge and skills to others regardless of the barrier placed in front of her.
"I'm grateful for the opportunities the military has provided for me to do new things," Roberts said. "I simply view every assignment as another mission that needs to get accomplished."
Roberts began her military career 15 years ago after enlisting as a military police soldier in the U.S. Army. She spent 10 years as a military police officer before attending U.S. Army Officer Candidate School to become an ordnance officer. She spent two years as an ordnance officer before crossing over into the U.S. Air Force as a security forces officer.
During her Army enlistment, Roberts broke her first barrier when she was assigned to be the first female to work at the Federal Penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas' death row.
"I don't wake up every morning and think, what barrier can I break today." Roberts said. "I just do my job and things just seem to happen. |
|
|
|
|
